Fiery crash destroys car, driver detained

ESCONDIDO  A motorist escaped injury Saturday night when he crashed into a propane tank, causing a fiery blast that destroyed his car north of Escondido, authorities said.

The crash occurred about 10:45 p.m. in an unincorporated area at North Ash Street and Vista Avenue, Escondido police said.

Resident T.K. Plummer said he and his wife heard the blast two blocks away and he hurried out to see what happened. The car was burning about 25 feet off the road, in the yard of a house on the corner, he said.

The driver was gone when firefighters, police, sheriff’s deputies and the California Highway Patrol got there, said Escondido police Sgt. Mike Kearney said. He said officers found the car’s registered owner walking in the area, and he was detained for questioning by the CHP.